Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Milan
• Type: Wooden Schooner (Two-Masted)
• Year Built: 1845
• Builder: Unknown, Three Mile Bay, New York
• Dimensions: 92 ft (28.0 m) × 20 ft (6.1 m); Shallow draft
• Registered Tonnage: 147 tons (old measurement)
• Depth at Wreck Site: 61 m / 200 ft
• Location: Lake Ontario, ~5 miles off Oak Orchard, NY
• Coordinates: 43°25.1588'N 78°16.5617'W
• Official Number: Not recorded
• Original Owners: Capt. Richardson
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Milan was a two-masted wooden schooner representative of the versatile cargo carriers that dominated mid-19th century Great Lakes commerce. Designed for efficient lake navigation and cargo handling, she transported bulk goods such as grain and salt between industrial and agricultural ports. Her shallow draft allowed operations in harbors and along rivers where deeper-drafted ships could not venture.

Description

The Milan was built in 1845 and was primarily used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. She was designed to navigate the shallow waters of the region, making her suitable for various ports. The vessel was involved in the transportation of bulk goods, including grain and salt, which were essential commodities during that era.

History

Built at Three Mile Bay, New York in 1845, the Milan was initially enrolled at Oswego and worked the Great Lakes grain and salt routes. Throughout her short career, she experienced multiple collisions typical of the congested sailing lanes of the mid-century lakes.

• Nov 1845: Collided with the schooner Sylph near Buffalo Harbor.
• 1848: Operated on routes between Cleveland and Buffalo, transporting grain.
• Nov 4, 1848: Collided with the schooner Florence at Buffalo, Lake Erie.

Significant Incidents

On October 11, 1849, the Milan departed Oswego bound for Cleveland, carrying 1,000 barrels of salt. Approximately five miles off Oak Orchard in Lake Ontario, she sprang a severe leak. Despite the crew’s efforts to save the vessel, the flooding proved uncontrollable, forcing abandonment. All crew members safely reached shore, but the vessel sank, taking her valuable cargo with her. At the time of loss, the Milan was owned by Captain Richardson, with an estimated value of $5,000.

Final Disposition

The wreck now rests in roughly 200 feet of water and remains largely intact. The Milan exemplifies the hazards of early Great Lakes navigation and commerce. Her loss underscores the vulnerability of wooden schooners to leaks and structural failure, particularly under heavy cargo loads.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Milan is upright and intact, with some hull deterioration. It serves as an archaeological time capsule, illustrating the shipbuilding practices and salt trade of the 1840s. The site is accessible for observation, but any archaeological work requires a permit.

Resources & Links

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The Milan (1845–1849) stands as a preserved example of early Great Lakes schooner construction and trade. Her discovery and continued documentation highlight the evolution of 19th-century commerce and navigation across Lake Ontario. Thanks to ongoing exploration by Aaron Newman and Exploring Our Deep World, this wreck continues to deepen our understanding of the region’s maritime legacy.